6. 5. Statement: Post-compulsory Education and Training Consultation

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:01 pm on 20 June 2017.

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Photo of Suzy Davies Suzy Davies Conservative 5:01, 20 June 2017

Thank you very much for the statement and for the commitments that are in it. I appreciate that we’re talking primarily about structural change, but the purpose of the structural change is to improve opportunities for learning, and learning ready for a Wales that will be taking part in a global competition, if you like, as well as promoting the local economy. If the Welsh Government’s plans for a million Welsh speakers are to have any traction, further down the line we will have businesses looking for Welsh language skills—I won’t say necessarily fluency—but beyond that, other language skills as well, particularly post Brexit. Even though English is the international language of business, it’s certainly a help for people in Wales if they’re able to speak more than one language when they’re trying to engage in international trade. Can you tell me, then, whether the consultation in particular and the commission’s future work will be taking into account the place of deft communication skills in non-statutory education? Thank you.